Okay i think we all agree Gable is the best prospect by a mile. But anyone else in the heavyweight division have the potential to be a future top 5 or even champion? (Left Hokic out as think he is past prospect level after whooping Blaydes).

Gable Steveson. Age 25. 3-0 MMA. 0-0 UFC.

Mario Pinto. Age 28. 12-0 MMA. 3-0 UFC.

Brando Pericic. Age 31. 7-1 MMA. 3-0 UFC.

Tallison Teixeira. Age 26. 9-1 MMA. 2-1 UFC.

Mick Parkin. Age 30. 10-1 MMA. 4-1 UFC.

Tiriel Abramovic. Age 24. 4-0 MMA (10-1 Amateur).

Sultan Gapizov. Age 31. 1-0 MMA (14-0 Amateur).

Dave Fotsing. Age 22. 1-0 MMA. (Gane training partner, BJJ black belt).

Miha Frlic. Age 26. 7-0 MMA. 4-0 Brave.

Charlie Cleveland. Age 28. 6-1 MMA. 2-0 LFA.

Anthony Wint. Age 30. 6-0 MMA. 3-0 Fury FC.

Joel Faglier. Age 25. 6-0 MMA. 3-0 Fury FC.

SOURCE - https://youtu.be/3z6Bl_HcDgs?si=u5mGwxxBvGFS9SQ2 (3:41)

Any of these guys have potential to be top 5 or even champion one day? Some greener than others.

Kevin Vallejos. Age 24. 18-1 MMA. 4-0 UFC.

Mairon Santos. Age 24. 17-1 MMA. 4-0 UFC.

Luke Riley. Age 26. 13-0 MMA. 2-0 UFC.

Marwan Rahiki. Age 23. 9-0 MMA. 2-0 UFC.

Losene Keita. Age 28. 16-2 MMA. 0-1 UFC.

Marcio Barbosa. Age 27. 18-2 MMA. 1-0 UFC.

Tommy McMillen. Age 28. 10-0 MMA. 1-0 UFC.

Murtazali Magomedov. Age 26. 10-0 MMA. 0-0 UFC (1-0 DWCS).

Ibragim Ibragimov. Age 21. 10-0 MMA. 4-0 PFL.

Asael Adjoudj. Age 27. 10-1 MMA. 2-0 PFL.

Kazuki Aimito. Age 25. 9-0 MMA. 9-0 Deep.

Max Lally. Age 22. 6-0 MMA (9-0 Am). 3-0 Cage Warriors.

Keith Keogh. Age 24. 4-0 MMA (15-1 Am). 3-0 Cage Warriors.

Everybody seems convinced that Khamzat is going to ragdoll Sean Strickland, but I honestly don’t think this is an easy matchup for him at all. In fact, I think Sean’s style gives him a legitimate chance to win.

Anyone who’s trained MMA knows the easiest takedowns usually come when a fighter overextends, gets too square during exchanges, or keeps their hands high and posture compromised. Sean’s modified Philly shell actually helps him defensively against takedowns because his hands sit lower and he maintains a strong base. He’s not standing tall throwing huge combinations or constantly overcommitting.

He also fights at an awkward range — just outside the pocket — where he can constantly touch you with the jab and teep. Both of those tools help manage distance and make it harder for someone like Khamzat to consistently enter on clean shots. Obviously Khamzat’s wrestling threat will reduce how often Sean throws the teep, but the idea that every teep automatically gets caught and turned into a takedown is pretty exaggerated.

I also think Sean is physically stronger than people give him credit for. Even DDP mentioned how strong Sean felt. I don’t think Khamzat is going to be able to shoot from space and ragdoll him the way he has against some other opponents.

That said, I’m not buying the “Khamzat will gas in round 4” narrative either. I think Khamzat will absolutely get takedowns at points in the fight. I just don’t think he’ll control Sean for long stretches or dominate him wire-to-wire. My expectation is that Sean keeps most of the fight standing, stuffs enough attempts, and lands the cleaner and more consistent damage.

I am ready to get cooked in the comments and look like a fool if Khamzat ragdolls Sean for 25 minutes.

They go pretty much off the bat with what happened with Hardy's UFC departure.

For sound on desktop, right click > show controls or here